So you're in town for the big conference at the Hershey Convention Center, and you just happen to be lodging in a hotel near Hersheypark. And while it's important to present a businesslike demeanor by day, there's no reason you can't let your hair down at night. And when you're staying in a hotel near Hersheypark, there's no excuse for not hopping on at least one of those rides.
Here are a few of the best reasons for getting out of your room at that hotel. "Near Hersheypark" isn't good enough. You've got to spend some time in Hersheypark.
The Comet. When you're spending time in your hotel near Hersheypark, you might hear the screams of acrophobic joy coming from this coaster's latest victims. A veritable classic, the Comet is a wooden roller coaster featuring quick turns -- and a maximum drop of 96 feet. It's intense, but is still one of Hersheypark's milder coasters -- having a 4 out of 5 on the park's own rating scale.
The Lightning Racer. Also rated a "high thrill ride" on Hersheypark, the Lightning Racer was the first dueling wooden coaster in the United States. Constructed with southern yellow pine wood, this ride was called "nothing less than awesome to behold" and "a MUST for roller coaster enthusiasts" by Theme Park Insider.
The Sooperdooperlooper. This is a Hersheypark classic, rated "aggressive" on Hersheypark's own coaster scale (thought it only achieves speeds of about 45 miles per hour). The first looping roller coaster on the East Coast, it's only got one loop -- but it's a darn good one.
The Storm Runner. Maybe you're a finicky coaster enthusiast. Just because your hotel is near Hersheypark, that's no reason to leave, you say -- you need the perfect ride. In that case, meet the Storm Runner: It goes from zero to 72 miles per hour in just under two seconds. Then you'll shoot 180 feet straight up... and straight back down. Add a 135 foot cobra loop, barrel rolls and a flying snake dive, and you're in coaster heaven. Don't know what those are? Take a ride on the Storm Runner and find out!
The Trailblazer. Taking on the theme of a runaway mine train, the Trailblazer is a steel track roller coaster with three amazing helixes. The easiest ride on this list, the Trailblazer is rated "moderate" by Hersheypark -- meaning you can take your kids on it.
